Phenomenon of “de Winter” pattern, sign, or syndrome: A systematic scoping review and data analysis


Elmenyar E., Abbara M. A., Al-Ghoul Z., Al Mahmeed W., CANDER B., Abdelrahman A. S., ...Daha Fazla

World Journal of Cardiology, cilt.18, sa.2, ss.1-16, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 18 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.4330/wjc.v18.i2.114561
  • Dergi Adı: World Journal of Cardiology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, EMBASE
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-16
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Acute coronary syndrome, De Winter, Electrocardiographic pattern, ST-elevation myocardial infarction equivalent, Syndrome
  • Bezmiâlem Vakıf Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

BACKGROUND The de Winter (dW) pattern, sign, and syndrome is an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) equivalent. The first two forms describe the electrocardiographic characteristics of this phenomenon, while dW syndrome additionally has symptoms indicative of acute coronary syndrome. Emerging evidence suggests that dW pattern precedes or alternates with STEMI patterns. AIM To improve the recognition of the dW pattern, dW sign, or dW syndrome, urge early aggressive treatment, and determine whether sex matters, by integrating contemporary knowledge through a systematic scoping review and data analysis. METHODS A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar (November 2008 to June 2025), and literature data were analyzed. This scoping review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews checklist. RESULTS A total of 322 patients presenting with dW pattern were identified. Most patients were young males. Risk factors were primarily smoking, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Sixteen cardiac arrest events occurred during hospitalization. The main culprit vessel was the left anterior descending artery (LAD) at 88.5%. Compared with the younger group, older patients had more LAD (84% vs 80%) and right coronary artery involvement (4% vs 1.0%). Left main coronary artery occlusion was more prevalent in the younger group (5.0% vs 2.4%). The frequency of total or near-occlusion of LAD and left main coronary artery was similar in the two age groups. Males showed a higher rate of severe LAD stenosis than females did (45.2% vs 17.7%). dW pattern followed by STEMI was noted in 40 cases, STEMI followed by dW pattern in 8 cases, and simultaneous STEMI and dW pattern in 10 cases. The overall mortality rate was 3%. CONCLUSION dW pattern, dW sign, and dW syndrome are commonly used interchangeably describing the dW phenomenon. Patients presenting with this phenomenon have unique demographics, risk factors, pathophysiology, and angiographic characteristics (i.e., distinct culprit lesions and coronary artery involvement). Early identification with a high index of suspicion is crucial and necessitates urgent intervention.